Still looking for accommodation for illuminating Hadrian’s Wall?  The selection of establishments below from the Hadrian’s Wall Country Holiday & Short Breaks Guide, roughly from east to west, have indicated the following availability for the weekend. All availability is subject to availability and confirmation directly with the individual establishment. Visit www.hadrians-wall.org for additional inspected accommodation suggestions.
Accommodation Available [...]

Brilliant coverage yesterday of the rehearsal for Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall on Countryfile. If you missed it,watch again on the BBC iplayer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv

To  celebrate Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall we’ve teamed up with local Wylam Brewery to launch a new limited edition ale. Emperor’s Flame is a light, crisp and refreshing pale ale and is available in bars and pubs across Hadrian’s Wall Country.Cheers!

Such a beautiful morning to welcome March, TT was going for a cycle ride so I headed out with my camera.
I had no real destination in mind but I’m still thinking about where I want to be for the Illumination of Hadrian’s Wall.
I pottered around Cawfields, I do like the way the Wall climbs up from Cawfields to Winshields Crag and there are lots of spots where you can capture this view without being on the Hadrian’s Wall Path.

You will have already seen the  pictures I posted of the rehearsal (if not scroll down) I was very much put off by the green HiViz jackets that seemed to show up brighter than the lights.
I had planned to go to Hotbank Crag and scout out the path that goes parallel to Peel Crags but driving along the road I noticed the turn to Barcombe Fell.
I posted a picture from the Long Stone on Twitter a few days ago and decided on the spur of the moment to go up to the stone again.

I’m so glad I did the views of Hadrian’s Wall are amazing.
If you’re looking for a spot to see a long line of lights then look no further.

You don’t have to go very far up the public footpath to get good views, it’s a well worn track so you will be safe as long as you take reasonable care.
The road leading to the FP is part of Stanegate, the old Roman Road, and it’s wide enough to park on without causing too much disruption to the farmer.
Perfect in fact.

FP up Barcombe Fell here’s a link to the OS map showing you where it is.

I climbed up to the Long Stone, it’s a monument to miners killed in a pit accident.

The views over Vindolanda are super and as I walked over the bracken I remembered a book I’ve read recently that said the Romans used to collect bracken from Barcombe Hill to use as matting for their dwellings.
Certainly walking in the footsteps of history.

I sat on the stone base and ate a ceral bar, watching buzzards in a mating dance high above me, larks were singing,  a Kestral hovered and I could smell the scent of dianthus ( I know really weird) and I don’t think I could have been any happier.
It seems I wasn’t the only one feeling the joys of spring, as I walked along towards the bridle way to take me up to the Military Road, making a circular walk, I noticed a circular contrail in the sky. Can you imagine the pilot looping the loop and shouting wheeeeeeee?

I have some more information on the Illumination but will post that tomorrow for you.
Catch you later.
Joan

Sunday 14th March
In the Heart of Hadrian’s Wall Country excellent attractions in Greenhead and Gilsland over the weekend of the Illumination of Hadrian’s Wall

The Hadrian’s Wall Farmers’ Market at Greenhead
“The Friendly Village Market”
Top Quality Fresh Local Foods & Crafts including: Organic Beef, Mutton, Lamb, Pork, Sausages [...]

Yesterday was bright and clear perfect for setting off Hadrian’s Wall in a good light.
I was down at Willowford Farm early in the morning to witness the announcement that Hadrian’s Wall is the first World Heritage Site to be awarded Fair Trade Status.

A happy group of people cavorted in the sunshine with various blow-up Fair Trade items while photographers recorded them for posterity.

Then in the afternoon it was a rehearsal for the Hadrian’s Wall Illumination event that takes place on the 13th of March.
For yesterday’s rehearsal lights had been set up between Hotbank Crag and the milecastle 37, just west of Housesteads Fort.

Sunday was fine and bright.
Biting cold as befits the last day of January, but you layer up and have a hat to cover your ears and head for the hills.
I parked in the old telephone box layby and set off up the footpath that is part of the Pennine Way.
It heads uphill through the field of Bradley Farm ewe’s fat with lamb, over the stile and up past the Lime Kiln.
At one time there were lots of these kilns but most have fallen into disrepair, this one has been restored and very fine it looks too.

The path passes in front of the kiln and curves on up the hill. Some wonderful views from here looking south over the Pennines, still snow tipped and on a clear day the Lakeland hills are visible. A good excuse to stop and catch your breath for it’s a steep climb, well maybe a youngster can bound up but I like to pause now and again.
The path leads you up to Rapishaw Gap where the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way path cross. I’m still researching my viewpoints for the Hadrian’s Wall Illuminations event and I head off to the east and up onto the stone steps of Cuddys Crag. This is the viewpoint used on the Illuminations website and one of the most beautiful views on the Wall.
Just a touch of frost on the stones of the path so I set up my camera and wait.
I usually like to include a figure in my shot, it gives a sense of scale to the Wall I think.
On this lovely day people were out in force, a group of walkers from Haltwhistle came by, too many for my purpose but they passed by with a cheery ‘good morning’ greeting. Shortly afterwards a heavily laden hiker came into view, he was wearing red, always a plus, and he was wearing proper walking gear, blue jeans and trainers just don’t do it.
I took a photo making sure to ask his permission as he passed.

I wandered about checking out the various viewpoints, although I have a feeling this part of Hadrian’s Wall will be the first destination for most photographers on the 13th so maybe it’s not for me.
I wandered back down to Rapishaw Gap and then made the climb up onto Hotbank Crag, still some snow about on this crag, frozen solid it will be some time before it melts away completely.
The views from Hotbank Crag don’t feature much in Hadrian’s Wall literature but I love them.

The way Hadrian’s Wall undulates across the crags always brings a smile. From here you can follow the Wall all the way to Sewingshields and as a viewpoint it has definate possibilities. It’s a bit further from any parking area so not as many folk will be heading here.
There’s also a view west over Crag Lough, I love ‘twofers’ viewpoints.

Feeling the need for a coffee I decide to head back, there’s a lower level path here that runs parallel to the Wall following the Roman Military Way. It’s much flatter that Hadrian’s Wall Path and the views aren’t quite as spectacular but it’s a pleasant walk on a nice day.

Soon I’m back at the car and heading home, at this time of the year most of the cafes are closed, I toy with the idea of stopping at the Twice Brewed pub for a bowl of their superb soup, but in the end I just go home.
It was a grand walk out though and at this time of the year every nice day is a bonus
Catch you later.

I’d taken myself off to Housesteads Fort.

His name is Dan, I think he was French and he’s studying Architecture at Northumbria University.

It makes me appreciate just what a tremendous achievement this mighty Wall and all it’s milecastles, forts and turrets along the 84miles, was.

The jury is out on the views from Housesteads, depends on where they let people stand, see what you think.

There are plans afoot to light up the length of Hadrian’s Wall on the 13th of March 2010, a spectacular sight that I doubt will ever be repeated.
http://www.illuminatinghadrianswall.com/site/
You can vounteer to be one of the illuminators, lighting the gas powered beacons,  and will get a certificate to say you took part.

I’d love to do that but I’ll be out there with my camera hoping to get a good shot of the lights crawling across the undulating landscape of the high crags, no doubt rushing backwards and forwards in my usual way.

I’ve heard from my friends at Willowford Farm that bookings for the weekend of March the 13th are brisk so if you’re thinking about coming up (or down) for the event please be quick.

It will also be wise to do a recce of the site beforehand.
The Military Road is very narrow, by modern day standards, with marshy verges so  you really can’t just pull over to watch the event.
Car parks along the Wall will be busy and you will need to allow time for climbing up and down to viewpoints.

Did you know that 2010 marks the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman Britain in AD410 – one of the greatest turning points in our history. So as well as celebrating a truly iconic piece of world heritage the line of light will help to mark this hugely significant anniversary. To find out more about [...]